Exposición humana a disruptores endocrinos

Abstract

A relationship has been hypothesized between adverse effects on human and wildlife reproductive health and a number of chemical substances capable of altering hormonal homeostasis (Endocrine disrupting chemicals, EDCs). The endocrine and reproductive effects of these chemicals are believed to be due to their ability to: (1) mimic the effect of endogenous hormones, (2) antagonize the effect of endogenous hormones, (3) disrupt the synthesis and metabolism of endogenous hormones, and (4) disrupt the synthesis and metabolism of hormone receptors. Human exposure to EDCs may come from many sources and is not limited to populations at high risk. The life stage when the exposure occurs plays a very important role and the relative impact of exposure at different stage of development must be established. Mother-child exposure seems to be of greater importance than might at first have been thought. The accumulation of hormonal xenobiotics in fat tissue during the life of the mother may be a major source of exposure for the child, both during gestation and via breast feeding. The hazardous effects of continuous exposure to endocrine disrupters in humans demand investigation.